A few of these Oasis Be@rbricks have already started appearing on auction site EBay here

I'm not to sure if they will be in the attractive packaging like The Beatles and Sex Pistols ones are in, but I'm sure they will make a great addition to any Oasis collection.

Be@rbrick is a collectible toy designed and produced by MediCom Toy Incorporated. The name is derived from the fact that the figure is a cartoon-style representation of a bear, and that it is a variation of MediCom's Kubrick design.

The at sign in the place of the letter a is a visual device that is a part of the Be@rbrick brand, and as such, a trademark of MediCom Toy.

The standard size is seven centimeters high, and these figures are referred to as 100% Be@rbricks. Other Be@rbricks are named for their size relative to the standard: 50% are four centimeters high, 70% are five centimeters high, 400% are 28 centimeters high, and 1000% are 70 centimeters high.

Be@rbricks are most often sold individually in "blind box" assortments, in which figures are packed in small boxes, and the only way to know which particular figure is inside a particular box is to purchase and open the box.

Exclusive pieces such as these are highly-sought after and difficult to obtain for collectors outside of Japan; they are often purchased on the secondary market, especially online auctions.

Exclusive Oasis T Shirt for £10 when you buy any Oasis CD or Music DVD (price of T-Shirt is normally £17.99)

Limited Edition 3000 only.

This T-shirt is a hand picked design by Noel Gallagher to coincide with the release of Oasis first digital only single and the bands new tour DVD. Play.com have secured this as an exclusive product with Oasis management company for all the many fans on the site. This is strictly limited edition and is a one time chance to own 1 of only 3000 T's that will be produced UK wideClick here for more information on the deal.

30 December 2007

The scandal sheets are filled with sorry tales of Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and other silly starlets, but where have all the bad boys gone?

Right now in the world of celebrity, it’s the girls that just wanna have fun. The bad boys have turned good – Liam Gallagher prefers daytime telly to drunken brawls, Russell Crowe keeps his temper in check, even Kevin Federline has been nominated for father of the year. When did male celebrities get so boring?

Liam Gallagher: Liam Gallagher’s transformation from rock ‘n’ roll rebel to dedicated family man seems complete with the recent revelation that he does the school run each day and teaches music to students at his son's school in his spare time. And he’s swapped drunken brawls for daytime telly – early in 2007, Carol Vorderman let slip that the Oasis frontman was in negotiations to appear as a regular guest in Dictionary Corner. “I told him I think it will do his cred no end of good,” Carol giggled.

He is the Liverpool man with the inside track on Ricky Hatton’s dramatic shot at boxing glory.

Director Mike Cockayne followed the rising star of British boxing around the world to make a film about his life.

The pair became good friends and now Mike, who runs Bold Street film company Integral Productions, has promised Hatton a night out in Liverpool.

Mike, 41, from the city centre, flew out to Las Vegas to film the record-breaking run-up to Hatton’s unsuccessful fight against undefeated US champion, Floyd Mayweather.

The footage will be added to his hit film, already a top selling DVD, and will be screened on ITV 1 in the new year.

He said: “I had a fantastic time making the film and it was a privilege getting such close insight into the life of someone like Ricky.

“The timing couldn’t have been better, with the big Mayweather fight taking place when the film came out.

Mike, who has directed music videos for Atomic Kitten and Happy Mondays, hopes his DVD will become the biggest selling boxing DVD ever.

It has already become a high-street bestseller on the back of promotion by Liverpool PR firm Fire Management, which is run by Mike’s wife Leisa Maloney.

“We also interviewed Amir Khan and Noel Gallagher for the film. Ricky is very well liked.

“One of my favourite parts is when we used a new technique so we could show the viewer what it’s like to get in the ring with Ricky and just what it s like to be hit by the Hitman. It’s a scary experience.”

29 December 2007

A new documentary series starts on BBC Four (UK) later this week called Pop Britannia.

Starting with the birth of pop after the Second World War up until the present day, this series examines generations of youthful revolution and how British pop has taken the world by storm.

Episode 1: 10pm, Fri 4 January BBC Four

Move It

But the British Invasion and Beatlemania almost never happened at all. During the previous 20 years, the British music establishment based in London's Denmark Street and controlled by a nexus of publishers, major record companies and the BBC, had done its best to incorporate every new style of popular music and its performers into what it knew best - show business and the light entertainment industry.

By the end of the 50s, rising affluence and new technologies meant that there was a new generation of post war kids, confident that the world was theirs for the taking. Yet they barely had their own soundtrack. Their imaginations had been captured by American rock and roll and rhythm and blues but homegrown British pop was imitative, patronised by the Establishment and our first pop stars - Tommy Steele, Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde et al - were happy to do what their elders and betters told them. This was the world that obliged The Beatles to escape to Hamburg to learn their trade, that repeatedly passed on the band and finally and almost reluctantly signed them while replacing their leather jackets with crew necked suits.

This film traces the ebb and flow of the emergence of a British pop dream in the 50s and its struggle to emerge from a conservative, derivative notion of pop dictated by its elders and betters.

Produced by Alan Lewens

Episode 2: 22:00, Friday 11 Jan, 2008, BBC Four

A Well Respected Man

Together with their artists, the likes of Brian Epstein, Andrew Loog Oldham, Chris Stamp et al, would prise British pop out of the grasp of old school showbiz interests and turn it into the spearhead of a youthful revolution into style.

Yet they also prepared the way for a new, more corporate rock business that allowed big money and corporate lawyers to move in. Glam stole back the impetus for the kids, putting colour, youth and sexuality back into pop after the rock revolution of the late 60s. Glam struggled between two tendencies - one lead by the art-school brigade of Bowie and Ferry who used glam as provocation, the other fuelled the charts as professional songwriters and producers like Chinn and Chapman who sold million of records with the likes of Mud, The Sweet etc. It would take punk to lay the groundswell for a new generation of young pop dreamers.

Produced by Ben Whalley

Episode 3: 22:00, Fri 18 Jan 2008, BBC Four

Two Tribes

At the dawn of the 80s, a generation of punk-inspired art students invented bands like The Human League, ABC and Dexy's Midnight Runners and took British pop round the world again via MTV.

This British pop had a fascination with style and image, a flair for gender provocation and a restless ambition. Spandeau Ballet, Duran Duran and Culture Club took the blueprint and quickly turned into international act that, by Live Aid in 1984 were suddenly starting to act remarkably similarly to old guard acts like Queen with whom they shared the Wembley stage.

A new mainstream was emerging and Stock, Aitken and Waterman re-modelled the Motown approach for Thatcher's Britain while Pet Shop Boys looked wanly on. The 90s belonged to the starmakers who put together the likes of Take That and Boyzone and Cool Britannia, a brief art school coup by the indie kids lead by Blur and Oasis. 10 years on, the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs have taken up the Cool Britannia challenge while Girls Aloud and Sugababes prove that good production-line pop is a matter of character and producer.

With Britney Spears treating herself to a Richard O'Brien-style makeover, Amy Winehouse treating herself to a last minute, month-long career break and Pete Doherty apparently treating himself to a bit of chemically-enhanced quality time with his cat, 2007 has been one hell of a year in the world of celebrity. What on earth will our favourite fame-hoggers get up to next?

One man who might just have an inkling is Dave Berry, the host of Channel 4's latest Celebrity Predictions special. We gave the model, TV presenter and Sugababe-squeezer (Hello Heidi!) a call to find out more.

Who's your favourite celebrity?"I like Liam Gallagher - as a musician, as a fashion icon and as a man. I don't know whether I'd class him as a celebrity. Where is the line drawn, you know? Is Kate Moss an international supermodel and fashion icon or a celebrity? You know, I really don't see what people like Paris Hilton bring to the table. Personally, I think that she should be used as a human incubator for healthy organs. For example, if one of our very brave fire-fighters was to need another kidney after something happened to him in a house fire, well, I'd say Paris has been keeping one warm for him for the last 25 years."

Noel Gallagher – Royal Albert Hall, London: The man’s God-like Teenage Cancer Trust performance confirmed the 40-year-old is now the star attraction in Oasis. The big hits remained in his locker in favour of the greatest B-sides ever recorded, while Paul Weller, 49, joined in for Jam classic Butterfly Collectors.

Prince – O2 Arena, London: Prince gigs have been notoriously hit and miss over the years but the 49-year-old diminutive purple genius finally cracked open his back catalogue greats during his 21 Nights In London residency. Backed by the late James Brown’s sax player Maceo Parker, 64, the wee fella even chucked in a copy of his current album with the ticket price. Good man.

Take That – Odyssey, Belfast: I didn’t think my favourite manband could top their comeback shows – but boy did they ever. Pole dancing, nu-rave remixes and 37-year-old Jason Orange overcoming his shyness to deliver a beautiful solo of Wooden Boat were particularly special moments. Even when Howard Donald, 39, punctured his lung, Mark Owen, 35, Gary Barlow, 36, and J soldiered on.

Daft Punk – Wireless Festival, London: The French dance wizards’ first tour in 10 years was an audio visual, delight featuring a stunning pyramid stage and light show. Best of all was the ingenious way the robot duo mixed their best bass bin-blowing moments into a sort of glorified Jive Bunny megamix.

Arctic Monkeys – Ibiza Rocks, Bar M: The Sheffield primates took over the White Isle and the red-necked barmy army were there in full force to sing along. Surrounded by lobster-coloured lasses, Alex Turner’s top-notch tales of life in Everytown sent lucky punters totally mental in this tiny beach club. Alex, 21, looked like he almost enjoyed himself.

Justin Timberlake – Odyssey, Belfast: Justin, 26, came of age on his FutureSex/ LoveSounds tour. Set in the round, this show gave fans the chance to glimpse those infamous dance moves from all angles. Justin also played guitar and piano, as well as showing off his spine-tingling falsetto.

Led Zeppelin – O2 Arena, London: The music world collectively wet their knickers over this mother of all reunions in honour of late label boss Ahmet Ertegun. The sight of Jimmy Page, 63, straddling his signature twin-necked guitar to chime the opening notes of Stairway To Heaven and then produce a cello bow for his legendary Dazed & Confused solo certainly lived up to the extraordinary hype.

My Chemical Romance – Koko, London: The Black Parade album was meant to play out like a movie and 30-year-old Gerard Way’s theatrical performance was certainly authentic. He prowled across the stage and drank the audience in like a thirsty runner. This was no hastily put-together show and their hardcore planning was worth every second.

The Who – Wembley Arena, London: From the anthemic Baba O’Riley through to youngster punk beast My Generation, this British institution can still shatter eardrums. An iconic performance that blew a raspberry in any young copycats’ faces.

Amy Winehouse – Brixton Academy, London: After a disastrous and somewhat tearful tour opener in Birmingham, 24-year-old Amy got it together for some of her London shows, reminding us that when she is on song no one can hold a candle to that incredible voice. Here’s hoping she pulls through in 2008.

Then he adds: "I don't want to say too much about anything but . . . no man."

It was Meighan's bandmate, rakish guitarist Sergio Pizzorno, who set the rumour mill in motion, teasing, "Since we are headlining it, we have planned a surprise.

"I can't tell you what it is because it's one of those things that if it does not happen, then it will still be a great gig.

"But if we do pull it off it will be the greatest New Year throughout the whole world – I promise."

Back to Meighan, whose resistance to the rumour is wearing down. He says: "Oh man, right, all I'm saying is there's a very strong possibility of . . . Oh man, listen, if we can pull it off, let's just say that it's gonna be a corking Hogmanay.

"It's going to be awesome whatever happens, I can tell you that much," he adds.

This is the most forthcoming 26-year-old Meighan has been on the subject of Gallagher's possible cameo and, to be fair, it's not as if Kasabian aren't capable of providing their own fireworks on stage.

Leicester's biggest musical export since Engelbert Humperdinck, the band have visited the Capital on two previous occasions, and both resulted in bristling performances.

The band's two principal members, Meighan and Pizzorno (the others are Chris Edwards and Ian Matthews) met in Leicester, aged 11. The year was 1993 and Oasis ruled the airwaves.

Fast forward a few years and the lads set out to emulate their heroes, holing themselves up at a now-mythical farm where they "arrived for a party and never got around to leaving".

It was there they recorded their eponymous debut album, a release which may have bypassed most critics but connected dramatically with an audience that recognised them as one of their own – just as Oasis had done with Meighan and Pizzorno in 1993.

The band sold an impressive 700,000 copies of their first album in the UK alone, and went on to become the undisputed victors of the festival circuit, putting on sizzling performances at T in the Park, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds.

But if their debut album announced their arrival then it was the follow-up effort, Empire, which put the band in the big league, shooting into the charts at Number 4, and going on to win a wedge of awards.

Like idols Oasis, Kasabian have since gained a huge and fiercely loyal following, and those who witness their show at Concert in the Gardens will be happy with what they get.

After all, this is the band who took home the Best Live Act award at the 2007 NME Awards.

"We were delighted when we were asked to play the Edinburgh Hogmanay gig," says Meighan, who adds the band didn't have to think twice before accepting the invitation.

"It's like, what else would we be doing on New Year's Eve anyway? Sitting at home in front of the telly watching Jools Holland and watching Big Ben, waiting for the bells. And then what? Phoning about 200 relatives and telling them how much you love them?

"Nah, we're coming up there and it's gonna be mental.

"Edinburgh's up there with New York and the rest of 'em for New Year's Eve, and we've heard it's the best Hogmanay party in the world.

"We've never been to the Edinburgh Hogmanay Party but we've seen it on telly and we can't wait for it. It's gonna be awesome. We're going to f****** rock that place."

After next week's gig it's back to the recording studio for the band, who aim to put out album number three in the summer.

"We're recording the third album just now on the outskirts of Leicester," explains Meighan. "We've got this little studio set up and it's like the Batcave – it's hidden away and no-one can find it.

"We did an EP a while back and it's along similar lines to that. We put a few right good demos down and it's sounding great.

"We'll get back in there at the beginning of January and hopefully it will be ready for release in the summer."

Asked what sort of year 2007 has been for the band, Meighan answers in his customary amusing manner. "Effin' mental, man," he laughs.

"It's been another mental year for us. Man, this was supposed to be a year when we took it a bit easier and it's been full f****** on. We've played about 85 gigs already, ridiculous, man, and next year we'll probably play about 800 more.

"We played two gigs in Brazil 'cos we've got a lot of fans there. Man, the place is horrible, horrible. Horrible man, it's completely poverty stricken and it wasn't a nice place to go."

Switching the subject back to Edinburgh and Pizzorno says he too can't wait to get up on the stage at Princes Street Gardens. "Playing there is going to be phenomenal," he smiles.

"I am really looking forward to it and now I couldn't imagine being anywhere else."

He adds: "Like I said, Edinburgh is well renowned for being the place to be on New Year's Eve. I've never been there to celebrate it but I've always wanted to.

"I've seen it on the telly and it looks fantastic – all the people on the streets going mental."

Getting the last word in, Meighan revels in telling of the band's plans for after the gig.

"Just get right in the middle of it and join in with all those mental Scots," he says.

"Yeah, I reckon we'll pull off a stormer of a gig and, as we come off stage about five minutes before the countdown to the bells, we can then just get right in there amongst it all. We're gonna 'ave it."

On the concert Rourke told Xfm Manchester: "Next year’s gig is going to be talked about for years to come. We’ve got some of the biggest bands of the moment lined up as well as some legendary acts that haven’t performed live for a long time.

Special

"It is also the start of something special for us.

"We’ve created a campaign ‘Join the Line Up’ that centres around the Versus Cancer badge - basically, we’ve always been about loads of people getting together to make a stand and do something special, and this year we wanted everyone to be able to be a part of it."

27 December 2007

We are looking for some new banners for around the site, so this is your chance to win a very cool prize.

The Prize is a 12'' Vinyl OASIS : LORD DON'T SLOW ME DOWN (BIG BROTHER), ONE SIDED - 2007 PROMO, IN PRISTINE AND UN PLAYED CONDITION.

Also MJ from the award winning clubnight 'This Feeling' has very kindly given the site a Promo CD of Oasis' Lord Don't Slow Me Down, to be given away in the current compietion. So for every entry received you will be automatically entered into a draw to win the CD.

The Banner must contain pictures of Oasis from 1994 onwards.That can include group pictures, live pictures, CD artwork. Liam, Gem, Noel, Alan etc etc.The banner must say STOPCRYINGYOURHEARTOUT.COMThe Banner must be the same size as this template that I have included HEREGraphics - GIF or JPEGYou can enter as many times as you like.

Important Info:Deadline - All Entries must be received by 21 January 2008.When sending your entry please title your email as 'Banner Competition'Please include your name in your email.Send all entries to scyhodotcom@gmail.com

The winners will be announced on the 22nd January . Going by past entries we have had some brilliant designs in previous years, and we are really looking forward to seeing what you come up with this year!

Christmas is a time for family feuds and nobody does them quite well as the Gallagher brothers.

Liam's monobrow is pointing firmly to the south cause he's been banned from dressing as Santa at the clan's Christmas Day party in Switzerland.

The general feeling is that moody Liam, 34, is too scary to play the portly gift-bearer and will end up making the children cry. Noel, 40, has been asked to take over.

If Liam's rage doesn't simmer down before the big day. Noel could end up replacing the angel on the top of the Christmas tree.

Our man with the Mancunian reindeer said: "Poor Liam. He'd gone to the trouble getting the beard and having a red suit specially tailored. He even rehearsed a rock version of Jingle Bells in a Santa voice.

"Liam's also a bit miffed his family and friends think kids are scared of him."

The Verve closed their UK Arena tour tonight (December 21) with a triumphant show in Manchester.

The Wigan four-piece, who were playing their second night in the city, blasted through a 14 song set featuring tracks from all three of their albums 'A Storm In Heaven', 'A Northern Soul' and 'Urban Hymns'.

Like their previous low key tour, the band took to the stage to David Axelroyd's 'Holy Are You' before singer Richard Ashcroft declared to the crowd: "This is The Verve in Manchester on a Friday night. Let's have it. Come on."

Instead of kicking off with their trademark signature tune 'This Is Music', the band opted for 'A Northern Soul' opener 'A New Decade'.

Richard also surprised everyone when he arrived onstage sporting a new bleached blonde haircut similar to My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way's during their Black Parade tour.

The gig was the band's last of the year and capped off a memorable return for the Wigan four-piece who are rumoured to be headlining Glastonbury next year.

Rounding off the show with 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', Ashcroft urged the crowd to help him along before he said: "Merry Christmas Manchester. I love you forever and The Smiths and The Stone Roses and Oasis."

The band will now head into the studio to complete sessions for their forthcoming fourth album.

Earlier The Coral played a host of hits from their recent album 'Roots And Echoes' including 'Who's Gonna Find Me', 'Jacqueline' and 'In The Rain'. The band also threw in fans favourite 'Dreaming Of You'.

20 December 2007

We recently asked you, the esteemed ZOO readers, to pick your top bloke of 2007. You voted in your droves and, after spending hours in dark rooms counting up the ballots, we can reveal the results. Meet ZOO's 100 Coolest Blokes...

01. Noel Gallagher (Noel also won best musician also)

Whether you believe he’s a song-writing genius, or a Beatles-lite plagiarist, there's no doubt that Noel Gallagher was one of swinging nuts in the swagger of what was "cool Britannia".

Manages to keep a lid on his flash-fire temperament, in public at least, (unlike his tinderbox brother) and penned some of the greatest anthems of the last two decades.

From humble beginnings, lugging gear for the Inspiral Carpets, to worldwide tours and millions in the bank, the boy from the streets of Burnage takes no prisoners and doesn’t care who he offends.

In fact, he could well be the last of the truly soundbite-worthy musicians. And that’s why, despite his millions, he’s one of us. Nice one, top one, Noel.

Created by the Sheffield artist Pete McKee, this live poster was inspired by the legendary 1994 Brighton show, which saw Oasis supported by Ride and The La's.

The silk screen prints are personally signed and numbered by the artist and strictly limited to 100. Printed on Harlequin 340 gsm white Art Board, they measure 45x64cm. The prints are £190 unframed, or £250 framed (unfortunately we can only offer framed prints for delivery to UK addresses) and are a great collectors' item.

The posters are printed on 170 gsm graphic silk paper and measure 60x80cm and available for £25.

Also still available is a limited number of the special 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down' prints, as well as exclusive Japanese import T-shirts and the new Oasis Bukta top. For information on these and more, visit the online store

Exclusive to Oasisinet: If you can answer the following question (a simple one for the true fans!) then you could be in with a chance of a fantastic Christmas prize! One lucky winner only will win an art print signed by Sir Peter Blake himself of the amazing sleeve image he created for the front of last year's Best of collection "Stop The Clocks".

Answer the following question and submit to: thefans@oasisinet.com including a name and contact number. We will notify the winner on or before 7th January 2008. Good luck!

Name two songs which have been released as Oasis singles in the UK but were not included on the album Stop The Clocks.

19 December 2007

"Whatever" is a single by British rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released 19 December 1994 as a stand-alone single bridging the gap between Oasis' debut album, Definitely Maybe, and their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. "Whatever" entered the UK Singles Chart at #3, their first single to enter the top 5, something every single released since, up to 2005's Let There Be Love, has also accomplished. The strings were played by the London Session Orchestra, arranged by Nick Ingham and Noel Gallagher.

The song joins the infectious pop-rock melodies of Definitely Maybe with the more sophisticated lyrics of (What's the Story) Morning Glory, preaching universal tolerance and the acceptance of all ideas and beliefs in a typically straightforward, Mancunian way. The first lines ("I'm free to be whatever I/Whatever I choose/And I'll sing the blues if I want") may have been Noel's reaction to his father's insistence that he join the building trade.

"Whatever" was released as a contender for the coveted position of Christmas #1, 1994It is a testament to Noel Gallagher's all-conquering self confidence that he should predict "Whatever"'s success before he was even given a record contract, saying "In the beginning, there was a masterplan, to the extent that I knew that 'Whatever,' one of the first songs I ever wrote, would be a Christmas Top Five hit, but I think anyone who heard the song could have told you that."

When Oasis performed the song for Top of the Pops, they mimed and one of the cello players from the symphony was replaced by Bonehead, who clearly had no idea how his instrument is supposed to be played. Towards the end of the song, he gave up the pretense and started using the bow to conduct. A woman plays his rhythm guitar. The song was introduced by Damon Albarn of Blur who would later famously feud with Oasis. As Albarn introduced the song, the Gallagher brothers made hand gestures behind him, which only served to heighten the feud between the bands.

"Whatever" has been performed live by Oasis many times, sometimes with the ambitious symphony which accompanies the single version, sometimes without. They often end live versions of the song with lyrics adapted from the Beatles song "Octopus's Garden." They have also been known to add the lines "All the young blues....carry the news...", in reference to the Mott the Hoople song "All The Young Dudes". The "blues" are the fans of the Gallaghers' beloved Manchester City F.C.. At their famous performances at Knebworth in August 1996, the song was accompanied throughout by harmonica player Mark Feltham and is generally regarded by fans as one of the highlights of their set.

The B-Sides of "Whatever" were quite famous as well. One of them, "Slide Away" was already featured on their debut album, Definitely Maybe. The other two - "(It's Good) To Be Free" and "Half the World Away" - were later featured on The Masterplan, a collection of Oasis's best b-sides. "Slide Away" and "Half the World Away" would also be featured on Oasis' 2006 "best of" album Stop the Clocks, although "Whatever" itself was not included.

'Whatever' spent a total of 50 weeks in the UK Singles chart, more than any Oasis single to date. In 2007 Coronation Street's Charlie Stubbs was murdered while 'Whatever' played.

Roll up! Roll up! We have 25 pairs of tickets to give away to see Manchester band, Northside TONIGHT. They're headlining at MoHo live with the evening also including special guests Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets/XFM) and Bonehead (Oasis).

The tickets will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you want to be in with a chance of getting your hands on them, you'll have to hurry.

If ever a reminder was needed of just how much influence The Clash had on modern music, some of the biggest names in UK rock are forming a supergroup in memory of Joe Strummer.

Members of Oasis, The Smiths, Primal Scream, The Happy Mondays, Alabama 3 and Carter USM are set to stage a one-off gig performing their favourite songs of the legendary London punks.

Known as the Strummerville Collective in reference to the Strummerville charity set up after Joe's death, the supergroup will play JAMM in Brixton, London, on 22 December.

The gig has been organised to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the singer's untimely death and will also feature Jamie T, The Misfits and The Mentalists, as well as members of Paul Weller's band.

Jim Bob from Carter USM will be putting in a solo set and JC and the Disciples will be bringing back memories of The Members from 1977 and the burning flame of Rock Against Racism.

Confirmed members of the Strummerville Collective include Mani from Primal Scream, Bonehead from Oasis, Bez from the Happy Mondays, Larry Love from the Alabama 3, Nigel Clarke from Dodgy and Alan White from Paul Weller’s band.

Geoff Martin, director of the Left Field Stage at Glastonbury Festival, said: “We wanted to mark the fifth anniversary of Joe Strummer’s death with a unique event that marks the positive impact that his life had on so many of us. Brixton JAMM will be the place to be.

"Money raised will be shared by Strummerville – the Joe Strummer Foundation for new music – and RAR08 which will be fighting to stop the BNP in the run up to next May’s London elections. We also hope to make enough cash to put a bunch of guitars into Brixton prison as part of Billy Bragg’s Jail Guitar Doors initiative, in memory of Joe.”

On the concert Rourke told Xfm Manchester: "Next year’s gig is going to be talked about for years to come. We’ve got some of the biggest bands of the moment lined up as well as some legendary acts that haven’t performed live for a long time.

Special

"It is also the start of something special for us.

"We’ve created a campaign ‘Join the Line Up’ that centres around the Versus Cancer badge - basically, we’ve always been about loads of people getting together to make a stand and do something special, and this year we wanted everyone to be able to be a part of it."

Liam Gallagher has been giving music lessons to youngsters at his lads’ school.

The Oasis rocker often drops in to Lennon and Gene’s classroom and passes on his skills to their young pals.

He has even been kicking a football around in the playground with the kids.

The youngsters must be made up to be getting music masterclasses from a rock ’n’ roll legend . . . but I’m not sure their parents will be quite as happy.

If the kids have started swaggering home, sticking up two fingers at their mums then calling their dads “sunshiiiiiine”, their folks will know who to blame.

A source told me: “Liam’s spending loads of time in the school. He does the school run and often pops in and teaches the kids some music skills.

“He’s often in the music room playing on the instruments with the kids. And he sometimes has a kickabout outside too.

Wildman

“Some of the kids are a bit too young to really understand who he is.

“He’s just another dad to a lot of them — they don’t know how lucky they are. He’s spending more time in the classroom now than he did as a kid.” The rock wildman — whose band’s albums include The Masterplan — has turned into a model father in the last few years.

Well, almost. He did attack a photographer in front of little Gene in February.

His missus Nicole Appleton calls him “the best daddy in the world”.

And earlier this year Liam said he loves fatherhood and sorting out little Gene’s hair.

He said: “My kid’s got the best haircut in the world, man. I do it every day — the comb is your friend.

“I think I’m a top dad. Haven’t got a nanny, none of that.”

Liam has embraced fatherhood so much that Spongebob Squarepants is now one of his favourite kiddies’ shows.

One of the first signs of Liam being tamed was when he took a break from beating up photographers to pose for snaps outside the cartoon movie premiere in 2005.

Liam went to school in Didsbury, Manchester — occasionally.

But he wants his kids to get a good education at their London school and runs a tight ship at home.

Be@rbrick is a collectible toy designed and produced by MediCom Toy Incorporated. The name is derived from the fact that the figure is a cartoon-style representation of a bear, and that it is a variation of MediCom's Kubrick design.

The at sign in the place of the letter a is a visual device that is a part of the Be@rbrick brand, and as such, a trademark of MediCom Toy.

The standard size is seven centimeters high, and these figures are referred to as 100% Be@rbricks. Other Be@rbricks are named for their size relative to the standard: 50% are four centimeters high, 70% are five centimeters high, 400% are 28 centimeters high, and 1000% are 70 centimeters high.

Be@rbricks are most often sold individually in "blind box" assortments, in which figures are packed in small boxes, and the only way to know which particular figure is inside a particular box is to purchase and open the box.

Exclusive pieces such as these are highly-sought after and difficult to obtain for collectors outside of Japan; they are often purchased on the secondary market, especially online auctions.

14 December 2007

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has denied rumours of a duet with Kate Moss.

Sources at The Clifton pub in north London had claimed the pair were set to make a tune called Sound. Liam, 35, has previously slated 33-year-old Kate's ex Pete Doherty, 28, and dissed the pair for their narcotic naughtiness.

Oasis are currently recording their new LP at Abbey Road with producer Dave Sardy.